Serving a spiritual successor to my thread on eels, the continuation of said thread, and most recently, my thread on puffers which are often overlooked, this thread discusses a number of freshwater gobies that are not as appreciated in the hobby as I feel they deserve to be. This list does NOT include gudgeons, freshwater blennies, nandus, or any other goby-like fish that is not a true gobiiforme.
Schooling Glass Goby
Gobiopterus chuno
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/schooling-glass-dwarf-goby
Beginning the list with a very unique species, the schooling glass goby is a very small shoaling species of goby that attains sizes of about 1". I couldn't find even 1 thread here from the past decade that even so much as mentioned these. These gobies are usually found in slower-moving freshwater and brackish areas in the wild. Very uniquely for gobies, these fish are by no means bottom-dwellers, and as you could probably infer from their name, even school. These fish prefer small meaty foods, both live and frozen. Nothing really much bigger than say, brine shrimp. They are very sensitive to bad water parameters, so it is important to regularly maintain your water quality. In my opinion, these are some of the smallest and most unique fish in the trade. They are also very peaceful. According to what I'm seeing on Aquatic Arts, you can expect to find these fish for about $3-4 a pop. Prefer a neutral pH.
Yellowstripe Goby
Mugilogobius chulae
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/yellowstripe-goby
The yellowstripe goby is a rare Asian species which is known to occur in both fresh and brackish water. Much like the aforementioned goby, this species is a micropredator, and prefers small, meaty foods. It is believed that they prefer at least mild brackish water. Mugliogobius chulae is a fairly peaceful fish that rarely exceeds about 1.5". Though usually peaceful, these fish, much like many other species of gobies, are known to be territorial, so extra care is advised when keeping these with slower-moving, more peaceful bottom-dwellers. More or less moderate care. Usually about $15. Prefer a pH anywhere from neutral to alkaline.
Spotfin Goby
Redigobius chryosoma
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/spotfin-goby
The spotfin goby, much like the other two on the list, is found in both fresh and brackish water. These fish often reach a length of about 2", and compatible with most peaceful schoolers and bottom dwellers too large to be considered prey. Much like the yellowstripe goby, they are territorial, and must be looked after especially close in the company of other peaceful bottom dwellers. Consistent with the other two entries, these gobies eat mostly small, meaty foods. Usually about $15. Prefer a soft to neutral pH. May eat smaller shrimp.
These are all fish that are very rare. Aquatic Arts pretty much holds a monopoly on them at the moment, when it comes to retailers. I hope this list helped some people on their quest for a unique bottom dweller or schooler.
Schooling Glass Goby
Gobiopterus chuno
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/schooling-glass-dwarf-goby
Beginning the list with a very unique species, the schooling glass goby is a very small shoaling species of goby that attains sizes of about 1". I couldn't find even 1 thread here from the past decade that even so much as mentioned these. These gobies are usually found in slower-moving freshwater and brackish areas in the wild. Very uniquely for gobies, these fish are by no means bottom-dwellers, and as you could probably infer from their name, even school. These fish prefer small meaty foods, both live and frozen. Nothing really much bigger than say, brine shrimp. They are very sensitive to bad water parameters, so it is important to regularly maintain your water quality. In my opinion, these are some of the smallest and most unique fish in the trade. They are also very peaceful. According to what I'm seeing on Aquatic Arts, you can expect to find these fish for about $3-4 a pop. Prefer a neutral pH.
Yellowstripe Goby
Mugilogobius chulae
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/yellowstripe-goby
The yellowstripe goby is a rare Asian species which is known to occur in both fresh and brackish water. Much like the aforementioned goby, this species is a micropredator, and prefers small, meaty foods. It is believed that they prefer at least mild brackish water. Mugliogobius chulae is a fairly peaceful fish that rarely exceeds about 1.5". Though usually peaceful, these fish, much like many other species of gobies, are known to be territorial, so extra care is advised when keeping these with slower-moving, more peaceful bottom-dwellers. More or less moderate care. Usually about $15. Prefer a pH anywhere from neutral to alkaline.
Spotfin Goby
Redigobius chryosoma
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/gobies/products/spotfin-goby
The spotfin goby, much like the other two on the list, is found in both fresh and brackish water. These fish often reach a length of about 2", and compatible with most peaceful schoolers and bottom dwellers too large to be considered prey. Much like the yellowstripe goby, they are territorial, and must be looked after especially close in the company of other peaceful bottom dwellers. Consistent with the other two entries, these gobies eat mostly small, meaty foods. Usually about $15. Prefer a soft to neutral pH. May eat smaller shrimp.
These are all fish that are very rare. Aquatic Arts pretty much holds a monopoly on them at the moment, when it comes to retailers. I hope this list helped some people on their quest for a unique bottom dweller or schooler.